Britt at the Roman Forum
“I’d like my luggage sent all the way through to final destination.” The airline reservationist obliged. She handed me back my passport and boarding pass and wished me a pleasant flight. A tall, portly and overtly condescending TSA agent at the airport hurled security instructions at us travelers before approaching the body scanner. Simply put, I was unbothered. Hell, I was headed to Italy for a long awaited vacation. I wasn’t going to allow anyone to ruin my high. All l had to do from that point on was just show up.
Britt on the iconic Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy.
I took a deep breath and released any unwanted tension as I nestled back into my seat. The 12-hour flight was pleasant, not only because no one booked the middle seat, but mostly due to the fact there weren’t any upcoming travel logistics swirling in my mind. I knew once I touched down in Italy there would be a driver waiting for me that would escort me to my hotel. Additionally, all my other travel details were someone else’s responsibility. My sole responsibility was to relax and literally enjoy the ride. I had booked the 14-day Romantic Italy tour with Gate 1 Travel, a company I’ve enjoyed two other tours with.
As a travel influencer I spend a good amount of time engaging in conversation with others about international travel- airlines flown, hotels stayed, travel rewards programs enrolled, countries visited, meals savored, experiences recounted, people met, and activities enjoyed. I’m able to share a lot of my experience with others, but I also learn a lot. And one of the things I’ve learned is when it comes to group tours people either love them or loathe them. I on the other hand equally enjoy independent travel and group tours.
Traveling on your own allows greater flexibility in your schedule, the hotels at which you choose to stay, and the sights you choose to visit. There is true value in independent travel, but I have also come to appreciate the many inclusions of a group tour. My Gate 1 Travel tour included round trip flight, airport transfers, hotel stay for 12 nights in five different Italian cities, breakfast daily, 7 dinners with wine, a modern motor coach for transportation throughout Italy, an English speaking tour manager, local guides in major cities, entrance fees to all included attractions, and the use of wireless headsets for enhanced touring. It’s exactly what I needed, comfortable, international travel without the planning, which meant time-saved.
Starhotels Michelangelo in Rome standard hotel room
Gate 1 Travel Motor Coach
Gate 1 offers tours to different countries throughout the world, and more specifically more than 25 different Italy tours varying in length and cities visited. I chose the 14-Day Romantic Italy tour because it was just the right length to be away from home, included well reviewed hotels, covered all the major cities of interest, and included all the major attractions I wanted to see.
View of the Vatican Square
Ocean view from Towers Hotel Stabiae Sorrento Coast
Britt enjoys the charming streets of Bellagio, Italy.
The tour began in Lake Como, near the Italian-Swiss border. After spending a couple nights in a lakefront hotel we drove south to Venice, Florence, Rome and ended our journey in Sorrento, the southern coast of Italy. Along our travels we made half-day stops in a few smaller cities like Verona, Pisa, and Assissi. It was an active tour as we cruised Lake Como to the charming village of Bellagio, took a boat ride to the Venetian island of Murano, visited the Doge’s Palace in Venice, had lunch at a Tuscan farm coupled with a wine tasting, saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa, learned all about Michelangelo’s work at the Accademia of Fine Arts in Florence, toured ancient Rome with visits to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, and did a breathtaking ride along the Amalfi Coast.
Britt’s fun photo-op at the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Outside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Britt taking in the views of inside the Colosseum
The beach in Amalfi, Italy
One can expect to be quite tired after visiting so many iconic landmarks throughout the day. Fortunately, the itinerary included plenty of free time to relax at the hotel or leisurely explore on your own. And if you found yourself to have a bit more energy to keep going, Gate 1 offered a few optional tours for an additional fee. I opted to do the Gondola Ride with Music in Venice and the full day Capri tour. Capri is a true gem of an island with luxe boutiques, a number of restaurants, and stunning views. It made a nice end to the trip.
Britt takes in the views from Capri, Italy
Britt on the island of Capri in Italy
If one were to ask me whether I would do another group tour again, the answer would be a resounding yes. The key in making group tours work for me is to choose one that best suits my interests. I research the hotels to make sure they are suitable. If I don’t feel like doing a particular activity included in the itinerary, I stay behind. When there’s free time, I make the most of it by checking out some of the local sights or even booking excursions with local tour operators. I take full advantage of the tour manager; they are full of interesting knowledge and great travel advice. It’s about perspective. For me, there was no downfall in having a set itinerary. I’m a travel television producer. I live on set itineraries and am usually responsible for the travel planning and ensuring my crew and I stay on schedule. I’m sure other working professionals and full-time parents can relate. For this particular travel journey, the beauty was in passing the torch to someone else while I enjoyed the sumptuous meals, sightseeing, the company of the other travel companions, but more importantly, the freedom of just showing up.
This post has been sponsored by Gate 1 Travel.
